The tension in the air was suffocating, like the very fabric of the world itself was pressing in on Jade. His brother stood there, distant and cold, among Nebet's most trusted. The weight of that truth nearly crushed Jade's resolve.
For a moment, time seemed to freeze.
"Brother," Jade whispered, his voice barely audible. "Why? Why are you with them?"
His older brother's face was unreadable, his eyes devoid of warmth. "You never understood, Jade. You never saw the bigger picture." His voice was detached, devoid of emotion. "I joined them because this is where power lies. You should know that better than anyone."
Jade's heart clenched. His brother, once a protector and guide, had become one of them—a cold, calculating force that could destroy anything in his path.
"Power?" Jade spat, his fists tightening. "Is this what you call power? Turning your back on everything you once stood for?"
Rael, standing beside Jade, shot him a look of concern. "Jade, don't let him provoke you. We need to get out of here—now."
But Jade couldn't tear his gaze away from his brother. The man who had raised him, taught him how to survive, had now become a part of the very thing Jade despised.
"Rael's right," Nebet's voice rang out, breaking the silence. "You're too weak to understand, Jade. But we're not here to talk about your family drama. We're here because you have something I need."
Jade's eyes narrowed. "You won't get it," he growled.
Nebet's lips twisted into a smirk. "We'll see about that."
Without warning, the ground beneath their feet shook, and the shadows around them seemed to come alive. The members of the Ten Shadows began to move, their presence closing in like a storm. Jade could feel the power radiating from each of them—power that far surpassed anything he had ever encountered. They were closing in on him, their intent clear.
Jade stepped back, pulling Rael with him. His mind raced. The key. They wanted the key.
But Jade knew he couldn't give it to them. Not when the consequences were so dire. He glanced at his brother once more, searching for some sign of humanity in those cold eyes. "Is this really who you are now? What happened to the brother I knew?"
His brother didn't respond. He just stood there, his cold gaze unblinking.
Rael gripped Jade's arm, urgency written all over his face. "We need to move. Now. This fight... it's not one we can win. Not yet."
Jade hesitated, but the truth of Rael's words hit him like a hammer. They were outmatched, outnumbered, and trapped. They didn't stand a chance against Nebet and the Ten Shadows.
"Get ready," Nebet called, his voice cold and commanding. "The hunt begins now."
The world seemed to slow as the Ten Shadows spread out, closing off every possible escape route. Jade's heart pounded in his chest, his mind racing for an out, some way to turn the tide. He didn't have the power to fight them all—not yet. But he had one trick left.
He reached into his cloak, fingers brushing against the key, the source of all his power. The key glowed faintly, pulsing with energy. Jade's eyes flicked to Rael.
"Time," Jade whispered. "I need more time."
Rael's eyes widened, understanding immediately. "Are you sure? You're still not fully in control."
Jade nodded. "It's the only chance we have."
Rael took a step back, creating space as Jade focused, reaching deep into the core of his power. The key in his hand flared with bright light, and for a split second, everything around them froze.
The Ten Shadows, the entire Black District, stood still as though time itself had halted. Jade's breath was shallow as he forced the power to flow through him. The world around him was paused, locked in place.
But Jade wasn't just buying time. He was analyzing. Every movement, every possibility, every escape route. He was searching for an opening, a way to survive.
His mind was working at lightning speed, memories of his previous life flooding back—strategies, battles, tactics. The kind of things Yūma would've done.
He knew he couldn't defeat Nebet right now. But he could outsmart him.
Jade turned to Rael, urgency in his eyes. "We're leaving. Now."
Rael nodded quickly, his expression serious as he followed Jade's lead. They moved swiftly through the frozen world, the silence around them deafening. Jade could feel the strain of maintaining the time pause. His body was already beginning to ache from the effort.
As they reached the edge of the alley, Jade glanced back at his brother. The pain of seeing him there—so far removed from the person he once was—gnawed at his insides. But there was no time for hesitation.
Rael stopped beside Jade, glancing back. "Are you sure you want to leave him like this? He's your brother."
Jade clenched his fists, his heart heavy. "I can't save him now. Not like this."
And with that, Jade released the time pause. The world snapped back into motion.
"Go!" Jade shouted, pulling Rael forward as they sprinted into the streets, leaving the Ten Shadows behind them—at least for now.
But Jade knew it wasn't over. Not by a long shot. He had made an enemy of the most dangerous gang in the world, and worse, his brother was one of them. The path ahead was unclear, but Jade couldn't turn back. Not anymore.